Our Services

The decision to divorce is one of the hardest decisions you will ever face. Navigating the legal process doesn’t have to be complicated and stressful. Our team strives to create clear roadmap from the first so that you are empowered to make informed decisions about your next steps.

Whether you are formally married, or common law spouses, a separation agreement is the most cost-effective way to resolve your family law matter. We can help you negotiate, draft, and finalize an agreement that will allow you to move on with your life.

It took time to build a financial life with your spouse and it takes time and thoughtful consideration to separate your property and debts. Our team will work with you from day one, helping you sort through your financial tangles so that you can focus on what’s important to you.

As with most areas of law, determining whether you may be entitled to of spousal support or whether you may be liable to pay spousal support can be complex and confusing. Our team can help you answer these questions and help you negotiate a settlement that protects your rights.

Child support is your child’s right. It may also be your stepchild’s right. Our team will assist in determining what support may be payable or owed to you on behalf of your child.

Although it doesn’t use the words “common law”, British Columbia’s Family Law Act does recognize the rights and obligation that arise between “spouses” who have been in a “marriage-like relationship” for two years or more. If that is the case, you and your spouse will have to navigate many of the same legal issues facing formally married couples upon separation. You may also have less time to enforce your rights. Our team will help you navigate these challenging issues so that you can protect your rights and those of your children.

Also known as “Marriage Agreements”, these will help you and your current or future spouse establish your expectations and record your agreements on issues such as spousal support, division of property, and division of debt upon separation. An agreement can help protect you, your children, and your financial well being in the case of separation. We will work with you to create fair, enforceable, balanced agreements that provide you and your spouse with certainty if the unexpected does happen.

Once you have lived with your spouse in a “marriage-like relationship” for a period of two years or more, you both will become subject to many of the same legal rights and obligations faced by formally married spouses. In some cases, this can arise even if you maintain separate residences. It’s best to proactively address what might happen if your relationship ends so that you can formalize your agreements with your spouse so you both can feel certain about your future financial and other circumstances.

One of the most important decisions you can make is to adopt a child. This can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Let Coastal Family Law and Mediation LLP’s team support and guide you through this process so that you and your child can start out on the right foot, understanding your new rights and responsibilities in respect of your child so that you can focus on being a parent.

Guardians are responsible for their child’s care and upbringing. Under the Family Law Act, both parents, if they live with their child, are presumed to be guardians, but what if that’s not the case? Guardianship and all its implications can be complex. Let us help you determine and clarify guardianship in respect of the children in your life.

Your children’s well-being is our top priority. We are dedicated to helping you create fair and practical parenting arrangements that serve your children’s best interests. With thoughtful guidance and support, we advocate for your children’s rights, helping you resolve your parenting disputes with empathy and understanding.

If you’ve had an initial consultation with us but prefer to handle your case independently to reduce costs, legal coaching offers the support you need, when you need it. Whether you require a legal opinion, strategic advice, help with forms, or general guidance, you can meet with a lawyer on an as-needed basis. You’ll be billed only for the time spent working on your file.

Laura Atkinson is a certified mediator who will help you and your spouse work out your issues with empathy, compassion, and a sense of humour. You can attend with or without your own lawyers. Her mediation services include the following:

Pre-Mediation

Laura starts with individual 45-minute meetings with each participant where she learns about your primary areas of concerns, answers your questions and screens to ensure that mediation is a good fit for both of you.

After the pre-mediation, Laura will gather the required documentation and prepare property schedules, support options, and parenting plan information that will be necessary for the mediation.

Prior to the mediation, you will receive an agenda so that you both know what to expect on the day.

Mediation

This is the dedicated time spent working together to resolve the issues in dispute.

Mediations are booked in sessions (up to six hours), which can be broken into more than one session (for example, 2 three-hour sessions).

Documentation

After each session you will receive a comprehensive document outlining areas of discussion and next steps.

If agreements are reached, you will have a written agreement that you can sign or take to a lawyer for them to review and to provide you with legal advice.

The documentation cost is included in the mediation session price.